1. Drug Therapy in Pediatric Patients
Chapter 10
Drug Therapy in Pediatric Patients

2. Drug Therapy in Pediatric Patients
Pediatrics includes all patients younger than age 16
Pediatric populations have six groups
Premature infants (less than 36 weeks gestation)
Full-term infants (36 to 40 weeks)
Neonates (first 4 weeks)
Infants (5 – 52 weeks)
Children (1 to 12 years)
Adolescents (12 to 16 years)

3. Pharmacokinetics: Neonates and Infants
Infants have five immature pharmacokinetic
processes
Drug absorption
Renal excretion
Hepatic metabolism
Protein binding of drugs
Blood-brain barrier

4. Body surface area of the child x adult dose
Dosage Determination
Approximate child’s dosage =
Body surface area of the child x adult dose
1.73 m²

5. Dosage Determination (cont.)
Drug dosages are primarily the result of clinical outcome and plasma concentration levels
Compliance is essential for a positive outcome

6. Compliance Patient education includes Dosage size and timing
Route and technique of administration
Duration of treatment
Storage of drug
Desired responses
Adverse responses

7. Promoting Compliance Use convenient drug forms
Select dosing times to lifestyle
Mix drugs with foods
Calibrated spoons
Returned demonstrations